The Muse of The Empty Nest - Preparation

Welcome!

I am looking forward to painting with you on Monday and Tuesday, January 9 & 10, 2023!

Come to my house at 3 Fearon Street to paint in my new studio. We will begin at 9:00am both days and will aim to finish at 5:00pm - please arrive on-time so we can get started right away.

As you know, I’m also in the empty-nest transition, just like you are. More of a half-nester, really. One child out of the nest, one still in the nest. I’m getting a feel for what this life transition is about, and experiencing it in real-time, just like you.

They say that people should teach about what they most need to learn, so that’s exactly what I’m doing.

In addition to learning about what it’s like to have an empty nest, I’m also learning what it’s like to teach a two-day painting class - this is an experiment for me. Thank you for coming along to experiment too!

Preparation Before Class

In order for you to get the most out of this class, there is some preparatory reflection for you to do before we meet. Set aside about two hours to do this ritual on your own before we begin painting together.

Watch this video for instructions. ⬇️

Preparation Video Recap

  • Set aside around 2 hours to go to the river by yourself for this ritual.

  • Bring with you to the river:

    • A journal and a pen

    • A jar with a lid for  collecting some river water

    • A blanket to sit on

    • Some tissues

    • Some chocolate

  • Collect an object to represent each of your children to release into the river

  • Collect a jar full of river water for painting and bring it with you to class

  • Eat a piece of chocolate for what has been, and eat a piece of chocolate for the Muse to woo her

  • Collect something on the way back from the river to bring to class to represent what you’re cultivating for yourself



  • Journaling prompts:

    • Write about everything you feel about your children leaving home, whether they have already left or will be leaving in the future. 

    • I feel sadness that my child is leaving/has left home because…

    • I feel fear that my child is leaving/has left home because…

    • I feel anger that my child is leaving/ has left home because…

    • I feel joy that my child is leaving / has left home because…

    • Think back as far in your life as you can remember: 4 or 5 maybe. Think of your young self in former ages and stages - kindy, primary, high school, uni, young adulthood

      • What did I like to do? 

      • How did I play? 

      • How did I spend my free time? 

      • What were my talents? 

      • What did I dream about doing when I got older? 

      • Answer those questions as they relate to different phases in life. 

      •  Look for patterns. 

    • Why do I want to meet my muse?

    • What new is flowing my way?



Here’s what you need to bring to class on the 9th & 10th:

  • Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a bit of paint on

  • Journal

  • Pens & pencils

  • A jar of river water

  • Phone with a camera or a camera

  • A photo of each of your children at some stage in their growing up

  • A packed lunch

  • An altar offering for the Muse

  • $50 course payment/materials fee (or you can send it via bank transfer ahead of time to: Account: Third Eye Creations Limited, Bank Number: 03-1354-0425625-00)

 

These are my progress photos from my ‘Muse of The Empty Nest’ painting process, so you can have a sneak peek at what you’ll be doing.

I’m looking forward to painting with you soon!

With love,

Amy

 

Hello you wild, creative women,

Thank you for coming to paint today, and I look forward to spending tomorrow with you up to our elbows in colour again.

Here are a few followups from your requests today…

  • The opening poem ‘A Blank Canvas Is A Door’ from Shiloh Sophia’s book of poetry called ‘Tea With The Midnight Muse : Invocations and Inquiries for Awakening’…


A Blank Canvas Is A Door by Shiloh Sophia

When approaching the blank canvas

imagine that it is a door.

A portal of possibility in 

which only you hold the key and the magic words

which grant access.

A cosmic opening which is beckoning you to enter.

Consider that what lies just beyond that white space

might just be the stuff of genius.

The empty canvas is used by the Muse

to terrify, entice, compel, repel, shake us in our boots!

And often, faced with it’s blank face, we turn back.

But not today.

Today we choose to enter the unknown,

to answer the call which silently and powerfully

Transports us from this present reality

into non-ordinary reality.

Now be brave and lay aside:

what we think we know

what we are sure we don’t

and we might just experience

something close to bliss.

We may find that, yes, mind can quiet,

even without being a yogi or meditating for years.

Creativity calms even with chaos.

Pick up a paintbrush and empty your fears

into a palette of infinite possibility.

Postpone inviting that familiar critic to tea,

(the muse won’t have any use

for her rough medicine today).

Tears may come…

and if they do, let them fall onto the canvas.

Terror may come…

and if it does, choose its color carefully and watch 

as each stroke transforms and moves.

The Muse may come, and if she does,

let her have her way with you,

Don’t hold back,

or shield your heart

from her powerful strokes.

How long has it been since we burned with passion?

How long have we waited

to make our mark on canvas or page,

holding oh so many stories inside?

Today approach that blank canvas

remembering it is not about being good or pretty.

Today be a willing fool for creativity.

At each moment, surrender.

Surrender. Breathe. Surrender. Breathe.

Self-expression is the key to unlocking a life,

not just the white door of your canvas.

Self-expression is the you that lives inside

being invited into the world of form…

Just see what will happen

if you let yourself out in full color,

unconcerned with blend, contrast,

perspective or perfection.

Let this be one of the places in your life 

where your fear

and your magic mix - POW!

That giant brush in your hand

wreaking havoc on your old ideas -

WHOOSH!

And creating space for something entirely

new to emerge: YOU, in living color.



  • Here’s a link to the Color of Woman Intentional Creativity training program…. https://colorofwoman.com

  • A photo from our red thread circle…



A photo of you absorbed in your creative process…

The recipe for the chocolate/seed/nut/cranberry deliciousness from ‘The Way of The Happy Woman’…

Have I forgotten anything that I was going to share with you?

Signed with love and scrubby brush strokes,

Amy